FreddickBratcherandCompany.com : Pictures Of Patios That Are Good For Your Home Along With Design And Ideas

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By Alek. Patio. Published at Wednesday, October 03rd, 2018 - 20:43:28 PM.

Building Your Patio - How to Select the Types of Patio Materials?
Nowadays, there are ample patio materials to choose from for your patio surface. Some of the more popular are available at landscaping centers or home improvement depot. They can be used for the simple and complex projects alike and are not confined just to the patio. These new types of patio materials can also be used for driveways, walkways and retaining walls along with permanent fixtures such as, plants, flowerpots and patio furniture.
The materials you choose should always blend with the surroundings and other materials used in the garden or landscape, while providing the right surface for the intended use of the patio.
Consider the long term practically and maintenance of patio materials carefully....
Most people only think about materials in terms of the cost but that should not be your only consideration. You dont always require the cheapest patio material. On the contrary, you also need to think about what patio materials are going to last for a long time and what kind of maintenance each type of material needs.
When you are figuring out your budget for the patio, you must take into account the maintenance costs of each different type of patio material. You may find that you are better off choosing a more expensive but durable patio materials up front rather than choosing a cheaper one that has a higher average maintenance cost. Also, make sure that you include into your budget for any additional walkways or paths that need to be built.
When you are choosing the material to use as a foundation for the patio, think about the long-term practicality of the material before you make a final decision. Here are some common patio materials you can choose from.
1. Real Stone
Stone has the most natural outlook, most durable but also the most expensive type of patio materials. It require good skills to install because each stone greatly varies in shape and size. Additionally, mortar compound is used to adjoin these stones and settle as they dry. It is designed to wear well in high-traffic, need little maintenance and could last for decades.
2. Stone Veneer
Stone veneer generally contains most of the benefits and advantages of real stone and it is comparatively a lighter type of patio materials and less expensive. Stone veneer can easily be cut with most common types of saws. Generally, most people will lay out their veneer pieces ahead of time so they can cut pieces to fit in odd spots in advance.
It is also as durable as most other patio materials. It requires very minimal maintenance. In addition, stone veneers are much easier to find in the market.
3. Plain Concrete
Plain concrete sometimes also known as cement is probably the easiest material in terms of upkeep and maintenance. Plain concrete is the most affordable material available.
You can begin with plain concrete for your patio and when you are ready for a change, you can basically lay new patio materials over the existing the concrete flooring. Hence, you can treat it merely as a foundation layer for other patio materials discussed within this page. Furthermore, plain concrete can be a strong foundation and certainly prevent surface cracking.
4. Stamped or Colored Concrete
This material is gaining popularity and very practical. It often can be molded or stamped to look just like other types of patio material such as brick, cut stone, irregular stone, cobblestone, etc. It comes in various textures and colors and is cheap. Stamped or colored concrete is a very practical solution when working on a budget.
Although you will most likely pay more for colored or stamped concrete compared to plain concrete, the amazing transformation will be well worth the investment. A good and creative contractor can render endless array of decorative effects, from rustic earth-toned sidewalks and patios that harmonize with the surrounding landscape or garden to vibrant multicolored concrete floors that double as works of art.
5. Brick
Brick is one of the most popular choice for patios because it is easy to install, looks great and is preferred by most DIY enthusiasts. This type of patio material offer a very traditional look in terms of warm, earthy colors and last a long time.
Bricks can be installed on sand base or concrete pavements regardless of whether you use mortar or not and extremely durable in cold climates.
It can have a variety of patterns as well because of its uniform shape and size, thus add a lot of personality and individually to your patio. The color of brick looks extremely nice and attractive on a patio especially if it is surrounded by a garden.
6. Tiles
Tile is an extremely versatile patio material that any patio utilize it will be one of a kind. Please ensure that the tile is designed for outdoor use. Furthermore, unglazed tile is less slippery than glazed tile when wet. It comes in many different shapes, colors, textures. The endless varieties you can choose from is one of the many reasons why it is a good choice for patios. There are various types such as,
• Machine-made quarry tiles
• Fired terra-cotta tiles
• Molded paver tiles
• Synthetic-stone tiles
They can be used virtually on any type of surface. Tiles are very comfortable to walk on and relatively smooth which makes it safe to use. Hence, there will be little fear of people tripping on any part of it. In addition, patio furniture will sit squarely on the tiles surface, that may not happen if you use another type of patio materials.
Its your choice after all
All the above mentioned are excellent patio materials to be use for your patio. In addition, you can even use a combination of different types of patio materials to make your patio comfortable. Also, you have to consider the drainage properties of each material. For instance, individual stones, bricks, or pavers will let water through more than a whole slab of concrete.
In addition, you may also want to choose the material colors that you can match with your favorite patio furniture and combining different materials is also possible as long as they are properly matched. In any case, it is best to seek professional assistance and advise when using any of the patio material discussed above.
Choosing the right patio material will be an added investment to your patio...
Bear in mind that your patio is an investment so an up-front higher cost can actually be a better expense in the long term. No matter what patio materials you choose, make sure its easy to clean and maintain so that it will stand up well to the climate that you live in.

Paver Patio Design - 3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Designing a Paver Patio
In the past a patio was just a patio; a concrete slab at the rear entrance of your home with just enough space to put a patio table and maybe a small BBQ grill. The terms "Outdoor Living Space" or "Outdoor Rooms" werent even heard of and the only people that had these types of outdoor spaces were the rich and famous. Today, with the demand for homeowners wanting to spend more time outdoors these terms have become more a part of daily life.
This demand has not only forced landscape contractors to be more creative with their designs, but has created an industry within itself. All of your big box stores are catering to this industry with patio furniture, stainless steel grills, pre-built grill stations, portable fire pits and it is not unusual to see contractors who specialize or only design and install patios.
Due to the increasing popularity of brick paving stone or "pavers", homeowners are no longer satisfied with the standard rectangle concrete slab. Pavers allow patio designers to be much more creative in implementing you patio ideas. They can utilize radial and circular designs, different patterns, borders and colors. Also, the introduction of patio block has changed the way patios are designed and used. Each manufacturer has a different name for them, but in a "nut shell" they are stackable blocks that can be used to create seating walls, columns, grill stations, outdoor bars and kitchens. If you can imagine it, you can build it with these blocks.
If youre looking for a nice patio; one that you can not only show off, but also one you can use; there are several guidelines to follow to improve your chances of success. There are three questions that you should ask yourself. If you answer these questions honestly you will be able to create a patio design that is not only functional, but also beautiful.
"What is my budget?" Some homeowners feel that this is a loaded question, but it is one that a good contractor will ask and one that needs to be addressed. It should be asked, not to prequalify you as a potential customer or to run the price up, but to bring the project into perspective. As a homeowner, you should not be afraid to tell your contractor your budget. A good contractors price is his price and he will design to your budget.
"How will I use my patio?" Other than budget this is the most important question to ask yourself. If you plan on entertaining, you may consider seating walls around portions of your patio for overflow seating or an outdoor bar. If you have children you may want to invest in a fire pit area, either a portable or built-in. These are great to spend quality time with your children. Do you like to grill out? Perhaps adding a BBQ grill station or outdoor kitchen might be a nice addition. However you choose to use your patio, you need to convey these uses to your designer so they can incorporate them into the patio design. Make sure your designer draws your patio design to an identifiable scale. Have them draw in your patio furniture and accessories so you can get an idea if, and how, they will fit on your patio. These questions will help you decide what size of patio you need to install. Remember, bigger doesnt mean more functional. Also, keep in mind, if your wants exceed your budget, using brick or concrete patio pavers will allow you to seamlessly add on later.
"What do I want my patio to look like?" This is another important piece of the puzzle and one that you should also spend time with. A good patio designer will integrate your uses into a pleasing design. One that will accentuate certain features of your home while expanding your personality to the outside. The most difficult part of a patio design idea is the marriage between functionality and aesthetics. Brick and concrete patio pavers give you a lot of design flexibility. Radial designs typically will soften corners and create interesting curves. Square and rectangle patio designs, whether parallel with the house or on a 45 degree angle, are used to accentuate dimensional features of a home. Using different colors and/or styles of pavers in different areas will help define space on your patio. For example, a circle pattern may define a fire pit area.
"Do your homework!" The more time you invest at the front end of your patio project, the easier and more enjoyable the installation will be. Spending a few hundred dollars on a formal design may end up saving you several thousand dollars and aggravation. There are also websites with large libraries of pre-designed patios that you can browse and purchase for a fraction of the cost of a custom design. They typically provide you with additional information such as; material list, color palettes and product details, helpful installation tips and how tos.
Remember, do your homework and enjoy your patio!

What Difference Does a Professional Concrete Patio Company Make?
Many families enjoy patio time more than time spent inside the house. A patio is the place for parties, playing, pet activities, and special celebrations. Although patios are so important to our home life, they need special and different kinds of maintenance as it is more exposed to internal dirt and to the changing weather. Professional concrete patio companies understand this and have been learned how to anticipate problems and correct them before they even start to pour concrete.
When looking for a good concrete patio company, you should make sure that they are bonded and insured. Now what kind of problems do patios typically face?
The better companies use experienced help and superior products and make sure that the preparation work is done properly. References are a good idea when choosing a professional patio company.
Sub-standard concrete patios due to lack of professional eye: Homemade patios may be less expensive than the patios made by the professional patio makers. This is because homemade patios will show some problems in drainage, as well as seepage onto adjacent floors. Just because mistakes were made in the concrete work. One often has the problem of dirt blocking the patio drainage: Dirt getting into the drainage is inevitable.
Many factors, natural and artificial, can bring dirt that can block patio drains causing any number of problems. Again, in order to avoid further hassle and accidents, it would be better to seek some professional help from patio experts. They can performs various ways of clearing the drains, including landscape changes, irrigation lines, grade work, leveling, lawn corrections, and light excavation at very reasonable prices. So have your patios dirt free and your safety ensured.
Plummeting of Bricks and Stones: This can be caused by the age of the patio, by soil, or by poor drainage. The problems mentioned above can cause shifting and sinking. A professional concrete patio company is able to stop these problems in a variety of ways. One of which is to properly apply sand and gravel But again, you will have to know the accurate amount of sand or gravel to be used and you are to know the other factors too. Therefore, seeking professional help is a very good idea.
A dirty patio: Moss, mildew, and stains can be stubborn problems that develop over time. Sometimes this can be fixed by a good hard scrubbing but other times the scrubbing will damage the patio. It seems like a small problem, but professional advise and practice may save you money in the long run.
These are a few of the problems but others exist that we have not even mentioned. A1 Tractor and Concrete Services can help you solve your problems with concrete patios in Dallas TX. They provide fast and effective solutions at affordable prices. A1 Tractor and Concrete Services is also fully insured and bonded. A1 Tractor and Concrete provides concrete patios in Ft. Worth TX And all the DFW area. They are handle projects both large and small. They have been installing concrete patios in Dallas TX for over 30 years.

Things to Consider When Installing a Patio
When it comes to installing a patio, there is more to it than just blocking off a chunk of your yard and pouring down cement. These days there are many different styles, paving materials, uses, and sizes of patios. Before you start on your patio, you need to consider the shape and size of your property, how you intend to use your patio, and the style of your home and garden. From there you can determine Placement, Shape, Size, and Paving Materials for your patio.
When deciding where to place your patio, it is very important to consider multiple aspects and ask yourself a few questions. What is the purpose for your patio? Do you intend to entertain large groups of people, or host intimate gatherings? Depending on the purpose of your patio, you then need to consider the proximity to your home. If you are installing a fireplace or fire pit, you need to make sure there is a good distance between your home and where the fire will be contained. You need to look at the available space in your yard. An over-sized patio will overtake a smaller yard. Another consideration is the amount of sun or shade you desire. If you plan to use your patio for sunbathing, you need to make sure it is in a sunny spot.
Shapes of patios are: Square, Circular, or Free-form. Square patios are the most common and can blend well with formal or contemporary gardens. If you like to entertain a lot of people, a large square or rectangular patio is a great way to go. Circular patios can either be a full circle or a half circle. The full circle patio is generally independent of other hardscapes and usually feature a focal point. Half circle patios abut either a building, such as your home, or another hardscape form, like a garden wall. Circular patios blend well into landscapes since there are no hard edges that stand out. Free-form patios are asymmetrical, less predictable, and great for more informal gardens.
Determining the size of your patio is very important. As stated above, a large patio can overwhelm a smaller yard, and vice versa. You can figure out how large your patio needs to be by deciding on how you intend to use it and how many people it should fit. Measure the size of your yard to see how much area you are working with, how much space you are willing to allot to your patio, etc. One good tip Ive come across, is to buy your patio furniture before you install your patio, arrange it where you expect your patio to be, and observe how the space is used, where people walk, etc. This will help you see just how much room is needed for walk space around the furniture, accessories, and more.
Once you have the shape, size, and purpose of your patio planned out, you can then move on to selecting appropriate paving materials. Before you jump right in and order slate tiles to go next to your pool, you need to ask yourself the following ten questions:
• What is my budget?
• What is the area that I need to cover?
• How safe is this material for my type of patio?
• How durable is it?
• What are my drainage needs? What types of materials support those needs?
• How long does it take to install this material?
• Is this something I could install myself? (good if you are doing a DIY project)
• What type of texture do I want? Will people be sitting or standing on this surface?
• How easily maintained is the material?
• What is the appearance I am going for?
Patios may seem like a simple task anyone can take on, but for a great patio that you are proud of and excited to show off, a little bit of time and thought needs to be put into the planning process.